After years of planning trips on our own, we decided in 2008 to try something new — a guided tour. Tauck’s 12-Day Best of Ireland came highly recommended by a friend, and we took the leap. That tour not only became one of our most memorable travel experiences, but also the beginning of a long and rewarding relationship with Tauck.
It was our first group tour, and we were excited to explore Ireland with our terrific Tour Director, Mike (his last name escapes us, but his lasting impression never will). One stop on the itinerary was the Glencolmcille Folk Village Museum in County Donegal — a charming cluster of cottages overlooking Glenbay beach, each representing a different era of Irish history. But when we arrived, the guide didn’t show up. The village was closed, and we were left peeking through windows, disappointed.
But this is where the magic of Tauck — and Mike — shined.
Without hesitation, Mike got us back on the bus, shared a bit more history about the village, and headed toward a nearby town. As we passed a local pub, he noticed a man sweeping the sidewalk. Mike hopped off the bus for a brief chat, then returned and casually mentioned that although the museum visit was a bust, he had a little surprise for us.
He invited us into the pub “just to warm up,” then revealed that the owner had agreed to open up the pub — and that he needed a few volunteers to tend bar. I was one of the lucky few behind the counter, pouring Baileys and whiskey to an increasingly joyful crowd.
Soon, the pub was filled with laughter and storytelling. The owner watched from the corner, clearly entertained. Not long after, his wife came downstairs — apparently woken by the unexpected merriment — and asked him what was going on. None of us will forget the look on her face when she realized her quiet morning had turned into an impromptu Irish House party.
Before we left, Mike raised a glass and toasted “unexpected surprises.” In that moment, any disappointment was long forgotten.
That day made us Tauck believers. Twelve tours later, we’ve learned the joy is not in the plan — but in embracing the journey and each unexpected surprise.
